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Herrmann sent to Triple-A in latest series of cuts

3/18/14: Indians manager Terry Francona talks about Corey Kluber and Tyler Holt's status, who was shaken up in a recent game vs. the Reds

By Jordan Bastian
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MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Frank Herrmann might be a part of the Indians' bullpen this season, but the right-hander is not going to get that call for Opening Day. Herrmann will continue his comeback from Tommy John surgery with Triple-A Columbus to start the season.

On Wednesday, Cleveland optioned Herrmann, right-hander Preston Guilmet, lefty Colt Hynes and infielder David Adams to Triple-A, reducing the Tribe's big league camp to 42 players. Herrmann is less than one year removed from surgery on his right elbow, so the Indians stressed to him the importance of keeping the big picture in mind.

"His camp is a complete success," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Now, he just needs to go and enjoy getting back to his form and maybe even better than he was before. He's worked so hard the last year. We tried to make sure that he understood that, 'Hey, man, the next couple months or whatever, you should enjoy this.

"'You put in all that time last year out here in the hot sun and you put yourself in a position where you're working your way back to helping the Major League team. That should be enjoyable. I think he understands that."

Herrmann, who underwent Tommy John surgery on March 31 after injuring his elbow last spring, logged only 1 2/3 innings in Cactus League play this year, allowing six runs on eight hits (three home runs). On the surface, that is a discouraging showing, but Francona was impressed with what he saw from the hard-throwing right-hander.

"I was actually really encouraged," Francona said. "I think he was mad he gave up runs, which that's not surprising, but I thought there was a lot of power behind the fastball. He just needs to pitch. He's thrown two innings. He needs to spin his breaking ball and repeat pitches and work back to back. There's a lot left to do for him, but it's exciting, because it's getting close to where he's starting to compete and see the results."

Herrmann, 29, has a 4.26 ERA in 95 career games with Cleveland in parts of four seasons. Herrmann, Guilmet and Hynes will provide the Indians with a layer of depth for its bullpen. Adams, who was signed to a big league contract in December, hit .286 in 17 games this spring and will work as a utility man in Columbus.

"He's an interesting guy," Francona said of Adams. "He can give you a really good at-bat. He can play first, second and third. That's the idea. We'll try to continue to move him around, so if or when there's a need, he has the ability to do all three."